In article , Geoffrey S.
Mendelson wrote:

Seems to me the upper power limit in those days was 1,000 watts,
but I probably remember it incorrectly.

I'm not sure when, but it changed from 1500 Watts input
to 1,000 Watts output.

Ahh, so _that_ is what it is now, 1000 watts RF _output_ ,
okay.



You mentioned you were in the hills of California, if you want
something that is (almost) 100% reliable for an emergency
a satellite phone might be better.

I used to have one about ten years ago, when a bunch of us
motorcycle riders commonly cruised the scenic mountains
here in northern California, again well beyond cell-phone
range. If one of us bikers got in trouble, it was my job
to call in a chopper.


Beware, OT Rant Coming Up
*****************

My 'cycle license is still valid, but now I have enough
sense to avoid motorcycles. g

For 7 years, I worked as a motorcycle messinger in the
Los Angeles area, never had an accident, except for
one time.

An older gentleman edged onto the freeway from an
on-ramp, going about 20 mph, cutting across all lanes
into the fast lane, where I was going the "legal L.A. speed
limit" of about 85 mph, along with all the other idiots.

I _almost_ managed to keep the bike upright, but
not quite - - - dumped the bike at the last minute with
my leg trapped underneath the heavy bike while it was
sliding to a stop.

Last I saw of the old gentleman, he was still chugging away
in the fast lane at 20 mph. g

I was lucky, a trucker behind me swung his rig broadside
to block the fast lane, until the ambulance arrived to scrape
me off the freeway.

Like with a horse, you have to get right back on again. I was
back on the job in a few months, but very careful to avoid
older car drivers.


What really bothers me is that the youngsters today do not
properly train themselves to ride a motorcycle. I traded in
a new heavy Honda "Valkyrie" model, for an even heavier
Honda "Gold Wing" model, the murdercycle that has
a reverse gear, because it is too heavy to back up by
using your feet, if you are on a slight downgrade.

A youngster bought my "Valkyrie" from the dealer I
sold it to.

Youngster promptly killed himself a few weeks later,
when he lost control of the Valkyrie on a turn.

I really think the laws should be changed, to force the
youngsters to take the $50 3-day course from the MSF.
(Motorcycle Safety Foundation)

MSF will not authorize a motorcycle license unless the
youngster demonstrates competence by passing some
rather stiff riding tests.

End of OT Rant -
*********


Welcome back, btw...

Thanks very much, I should have returned to ham radio
long before now, as it is a great endeavor, in my opinion.

My daddy introduced it to me when I was about ten years old,
it lead to a 34 year career in electronics, working in the
research labs of what then was called Hughes Aircraft,
later to be called Hughes Aerospace.

Many interesting projects during my career, such as
working on the old robot series of spacecraft named
"Surveyor", paving the way for manned spaceflight
to the moon.

Back to beating the bushes, the enjoyable task of deciding
which shiny new rig to purchase

Mark